Automatic switchgear for overhead railways



T. BOPP AUTOMATIC SWITCHGEAR FOR OVERHEAD RAILWAYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dee 5, 1946 Aug. 21, 1951 T. BOPP AUTOMATIC SWITCHGEAR FOR OVERHEAD RAILWAYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D80. 5, 1946 Fig.5

Patented Aug. 21, 1951 AUTOMATIC SWITCHGEAR FOR OVERHEAD RAILWAYS Theodor Bopp, Basel, Switzerland, assignor to Maschinenfabrik Ruegger & Co. A.-G., Basel,

Switzerland, a Swiss firm Application December 3, 1946, Serial No. 713,751 In Switzerland December 8, 1945 7 Claims.

travelling carriages, which mechanism includes a swingable switch tongue having a free end movable supported on a supporting member ex tending between the main and branch tracks.

Overhead railways with branch tracks usually have switches which must be set manually. For a travelling carriage to run on to the branch track, the carriage must be stopped before the switch, which is not only troublesome, but involves the danger that the carriage will be run on to the incorrectly adjusted switch and can thus fall off the overhead track. Automatic switches have been proffered which are however set automatically only in one direction of movement of the travelling carriage. Apart from the fact that these switches had various constructional shortcomings, they did not enable the above-mentioned danger to be avoided when the travelling carriage has to run over the switch in the opposite direction, so that as compared with switches which have always to be set by hand, i. e. for both directions of travel of the carriage, the want of reliability is increased rather than decreased.

The present invention provides a switch gear of the kind first above specified, which ensures high reliability in operation by its simplicity of construction and by the feature that it is automatically adjusted for both directions of travel of the carriage without stopping of the carriage. This object is achieved according to the invention by two independent means for swinging the switch tongue, of which one is formed by a swinging -member rigidly associated with the heel end of the switch tongue, and the other by a lever mechanism hingedly associated with the free end of the switch tongue, each of these two tongueswinging means presenting two opposedly arranged ramps placed in the paths traversed by actuators on the travelling carriage when the actuators are in their operative positions, only one actuator occupying its operative position at a time however and if the switch tongue is not already correctly set, the actuator in operative position, by engaging the corresponding ramp on the one or other swinging means, setting the switch tongue into the correct position.

An example of embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 are plan views of the switch of an overhead railway, respectively in its two positions;

Figure 3 is a section on the line IIIIII of Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are side views of parts of the switch taken in the directions respectively indicated by the arrows IV and V in Figure 2.

In Figures 1 and 2, l is the main track and 2 the branch track; 3 is a switch tongue pivoted at 4. The tongue 3 is rigidly connected at its heel end with a rearwardly projecting swinging member 5 of more or less isosceles triangular shape, on the two equal sides of which are two opposed arcuate ramps 5' and 5" which are disposed symmetrically with respect to the switch tongue. Between the two tracks I and 2 a supporting plate 6 is provided which along its edge adjacent the switch tongue 3 carries an arcuate rail 6 on which the free end of the tongue 3 is slidably supported. On the plate 6 is mounted a lever mechanism which includes two opposed angle levers pivoted on the fixed pins 1", 8" respectively and each having unequal arms I, 1" and 8, 8 respectively. The two short arms 1", 8 are linked by a coupling rod 9, while the longer arms I, 8 project clear and at their end portions constitute depending arcuate ramps 1' (Fig. 4) respectively 8. On another pin I0 is pivoted a swinging lever H which at its end is coupled by a pin-and-slot connection with the end of the switch tongue 3 and at a position nearer the pin [0 similarly coupled also to the rod 9.

As shown in Figure 3, the travelling carriage supported by and running on the lower flange of the track I 2, is provided with a weigh-beam l3 which at its ends engages vertically slidable actuator rods l4, 15 each of which carries at its upper end two rollers l4, I4" and I5, I5" respectively, which are rotatable on mutually perpendicular axes. To the ends of the weigh-beam I3 pull chains are attached, here indicated only by chain lines, by which the weigh-beam can be tilted manually in one or other direction. Thus only one of the rods I4, I 5 at a time can be in its upper, operative position.

The above described switch mechanism operates as follows:

It will be assumed that the travelling carriage and the switch are in the position shown in Figure 1 but that the carriage is not to run on to the branch track 2 to which the position of the switch corresponds, but is to remain on the main track I. To this end the rod I5 is drawn down by its pull chain and the rod Id thereby raised to its upper position. Now when the carriage reaches the switch, the roller actuator I4 runs against the ramp 5" of the swinging member 5, whereby the latter is pushed away laterally and the switch tongue 3 swung over to the position shown in Figure 2. If on the other hand the carriage is to run from the assumed position on to the branch track 2, the rod 15 is raised by pulling on the other chain, so that if the switch tongue were not already in the corresponding position, the roller actuator Iii would act on the ramp 5' and so swing the tongue 3 into the required position.

Similar actions take place automatically when the carriage is to run over the switch in the opposite direction. Starting again with the switch set as shown in Figure l, and assuming that the carriage is on the main track I so that the switch is incorrectly set for it, and has reached the switch, the roller actuator i5 being in its operative position engages the ramp part i of the lever arm 7, whereby this and, through the agency of the parts 9 and H coupled thereto, the switch tongue 3 also, are swung into the position shown in Figure 2. In this connection it must be borne in mind that whereas during movement of the carriage in the direction of the arrow K (Figure l) the setting of the switch is within the will of the operator in that he must take care that the proper actuator rod, 1. e., that which corresponds with the desired switch setting, is in its operative position, during movement of the carriage in the direction of the arrow Y (Figure 2) the setting or" the switch is no longer effected by the operator but is effected positively by the provision on both track rails in advance of the switch, of lateral control rails I6, I! respectively (Figures 1, 2 and 4) which if the wrong rod it or it is uppermost forces it downwards into its inoperative position and so causes the correct rod to be raised into its operative position, by the engagement of theroller hi or IE" beneath the rail It or H as the case may be.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, on the ramps 5 and 5 of the swinging member 5, vertically acting ramps i8, iii are provided the purpose of which is to depress the uppermost actuator which the setting of the switch has required to be in that position, to enable it to pass below the ramp 5 or 5 which the setting of the switch has brought into its path.

A safety device is provided at the pivot or the switch tongue, the purpose of which is to hold the tongue by pressure in one or other of its two end positions. This device comprises an abutment 23 on the switch tongue 3, having two diverging abutment faces. A spring-urged thrust member 2: which is fast on the pivot l presses against one or other of the abutment faces according to the position of the switch tongue and so holds it in that end position. Another safety member is provided on the switch tongue the purpose of which is to close the switch against entry of the carriage in the direction of the arrow Y if the switch is not correctly set. This memberis in the form of a part circular plate '22 welded on the switch tongue, and provided on its arcuate edge with two downwardly projecting walls 23 and 2 5, between which just su ficient space for the passage of the travelling carriage is left, which when the switch is correctly set is in the proper position to allow the carriage to pass through.

The invention has been described above with reference to a two-track switch, but it will be understood that with suitable modifications it could be applied to a three-track switch.

The expression travelling carriage used herein is to be understood in its widest significanoe and can for example be a travelling carriage incorporating a pulley block or other lifting tackle or a carriage from which bodywork or the like is suspended.

What I'claim is:

1. A switch for monorail suspension railroads having a suspended I beam for a track rail upon whose lower flange the trolley wheels travel comprising a switch tongue pivotally mounted at one end of a break in the main track and swingable to the other end of said break or to the end of a branch track, a member fixed to said tongue extending rearwardly thereof, spaced ramps upon said member, a supporting plate mounted upon said branch track and said main track adjacent the free end of said tongue, a lever mechanism upon said plate connected to said free end of said tongue, spaced ramps upon said lever mechanism for operating the same to throw said switch tongue and manually operable elements mounted on the trolley to contact certain predetermined ones of said ramps to set said switch tongue in desired position immediately prior to passage of said trolley over the switch.

2. A switch for monorail suspension railroads having a suspended I beam for a track rail upon whose lower flange the trolley wheels travel comprising a switch tongue pivotally mounted at one end of a break in the main track and swingable to the other end of said break or to the end of a branch track, a member fixed to said tongue extending rearwardly thereof, spaced ramps upon said member, a supporting plate mounted upon said branch track and said main track adjacent the free end of said tongue, a lever mechanism upon said plate connected to said free end of said tongue, spaced ramps upon said lever mechanism for operating the same to throw said switch tongue, manually operable elements mounted on the trolley to contact certain predetermined ones of said ramps to set said switch tongue in desired position immediately prior to passage of said trolley over the switch and said ramps on said member being of arc form and located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said switch tongue.

3. A switch for monorail suspension railroads having a suspended I beam for a track rail upon whose lower flange the trolley wheels travel comprising a switch tongue pivotally mounted at one end of a break in the main track and swingable to the other end of said break or to the end of a branch track, a member fixed to said tongue extending rearwardly thereof, spaced ramps upon said member, a supporting plate mounted upon said branch track and said main track adjacent the free end of said tongue, a lever mechanism upon said plate connected to said free end of said tongue, spaced ramps upon said lever mechanism for operating the same to throw said switch tongue, manually operable elements mounted on the trolley to contact certain predetermined ones of said ramps to set said switch tongue in desired position immediately prior to passage of said trolley over the switch and laterally projecting flanges on said member cooperating with said manually operable elements to move said elements to permit them to pass said ramps on said member.

4. A switch for monorail suspension railroads having a suspended I beam for a track rail upon whose lower flange the trolley wheels travel comprising a switch tongue pivotally mounted at one end of a break in the main track and swingable to the other end of said break or to the end of a branch track, a member fixed to said tongue extending rearwardly thereof, spaced ramps upon said member, a supporting plate mounted upon said branch track and said main track adjacent the free end of said tongue, a lever mechanism upon said plate connected to said free end of said tongue, spaced ramps upon said lever mechanism for operating the same to throw said switch tongue, manually operable elements mounted on the trolley to contact certain predetermined ones of said ramps to set said switch tongue in desired position immediately prior to passage of said trolley over the switch, said lever mechanism comprising two angle levers having unequal arms pivoted at fixed points upon said supporting plate, said spaced ramps upon said lever mechanism being located upon the longer arms at their free ends, a link connecting the shorter arms and a swinging lever pivoted at one end to said supporting plate and connected to said link and the free end of said switch tongue.

5. A switch for monorail suspension railroads having a suspended I beam for a track rail upon whose lower flange the trolley wheels travel comprising a switch tongue pivotally mounted at one end of a break in the main track and swingable to the other end of said break or to the end of a branch track, a member fixed to said tongue extending rearwardly thereof, spaced ramps upon said member, a supporting plate mounted upon said branch track and said main track adjacent the free end of said tongue, a lever mechanism upon said plate connected to said free end of said tongue, spaced ramps upon said lever mechanism for operating the same to throw said switch tongue, manually operable elements mounted on the trolley to contact certain predetermined ones of said ramps to set said switch tongue in desired position immediately prior to passage of said trolley over the switch and safety control flanges on said main and branch tracks for cooperating with said manually operable elements to insure correct positioning of said switch tongue.

6. A switch for monorail suspension railroads having a suspended I beam for a track rail upon whose lower flange the trolley wheels travel comprising a switch tongue pivotally mounted at one end of a break in the main track and swingable to the other end of said break or to the end of a branch track, a member fixed to said tongue extending rearwardly thereof, spaced ramps'upon said member, a supporting plate mounted upon said branch track and said main track adjacent the free end of said tongue, a lever mechanism upon said plate connected to said free end of said tongue, spaced ramps upon said lever mechanism for operating the same to throw said switch tongue, manually operable elements mounted on the trolley to contact certain predetermined ones of said ramps to set said switch tongue in desired position immediately prior to passage of said trolley over the switch and an are shaped safety member having a central passageway therethrough for said trolley wheels mounted upon the free end of said switch tongue to prevent passage of said trolley wheels unless said switch tongue is correctly positioned.

7. A switch for monorail suspension railroads having a suspended I beam for a track rail upon whose lower flange the trolley wheels travel comprising a switch tongue pivotally mounted at one end of a break in the main track and swingable to the other end of said break or to the end of a branch track, a member fixed to said tongue extending rearwardly thereof, spaced ramps upon said member, a supporting plate mounted upon said branch track and said main track adjacent the free end of said tongue, a lever mechanism upon said plate connected to said free end of said tongue, spaced ramps upon said lever mechanism for operating the same to throw said switch tongue, manually operable elements mounted on the trolley to contact certain predetermined ones of said ramps to set said switch tongue in desired position immediately prior to passage of said trolley over the switch, an angular abutment upon said switch tongue adjacent its pivot and a spring urged member cooperating with said abutment for insuring the throwing of said switch tongue to either of its end positions.

THEODOR BOPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 17,830 Wehr Oct. 14, 1930 560,232 Robinson May 19, 1896 674,236 Duff et a1 May 14, 1901 887,183 Bilek May 12, 1908 1,297,680 Hanak Mar. 18, 1919 1,352,969 Kalix Sept. 14, 1920 1,355,618 Remsberg Oct. 12, 1920 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 331,795 Germany Nov. 28, 1918 180,242 Switzerland Oct. 15, 1935 

